News4's Northern Virginia Bureau covers the races

Va. Gov.: No Repayment for $53,000-Plus Inquiry

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Gov. Bob McDonnell says two of his daughters repaid wedding gifts to political donor and corporate chieftain Jonnie Williams with their own money. But he ruled out repaying the state for legal bills totaling $53,530 and growing for a review that cleared him of wrongdoing.

On his monthly radio appearance Thursday on Richmond-based WRVA, McDonnell said the legal defense fund friends have established for him will help defray his private legal bills.

Those arise from federal and state investigations into thousands of dollars in gifts his family received from Williams and whether the governor used his authority to benefit Williams.

The governor has said in a series of radio shows and interviews that he's returning all the tangible gifts from Williams still in his possession.